SIA Jifteco, in cooperation with the Forest Industry Competence Centre, within the research direction “Increasing forest capital value and forestry” of the agreement No. 5.1.1.2.i.0/1/22/A/CFLA/007 signed with CFLA, is implementing the research project P27 “Scaling up an environmentally friendly conifer seedling protection agent against damage caused by dendrophagous insects”.
During the third quarter of project implementation, the following activities have been carried out or initiated:
1. Activity – Application in the field using equipment employed in industrial production.
During this activity, the protection agent was applied manually and mechanically to seedlings before their transplantation into young stands. Conclusions have been drawn regarding the properties of the agent, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of manual versus mechanised application.
2. Activity – Durability tests of the industrially produced batch under different conditions.
Within this activity, the durability of the protection agent has been tested at reduced temperatures, along with its drying speed.
3. Activity – Efficacy study.
Implementation of this activity began with the creation of the basic study design consisting of several terrariums in which one-year-old seedlings and pine weevils were placed. Observations are being made on the development of damage to seedlings treated with different agents.
The project is planned for 12 months (01.08.2024–31.07.2025) and will consist of the core activities: production formulation, pilot-scale production, industrial application, durability tests, and technology formulation.
The total planned budget is EUR 129,800, including EUR 90,320.00 of co-financing from the European Union Recovery Fund.
